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New on Mizzen: MLS STEM Goals
8 Activities
•
Grades 3 - 8
MLS STEM Goals
STEM, Social and Emotional Awareness
Module
MLS STEM Goals
Learn Fresh
3 - 8
9 Hours 15 Minutes
MLS STEM Goals is an interactive, sports-based learning experience that connects math, strategy, and social-emotional learning through the game of soccer. Developed in partnership with Major League Soccer, this program combines a board game and curriculum to help students build essential skills through a hands-on experience.
Across eight lessons, students analyze shooting percentages from team cards, track and calculate their own gameplay statistics, and apply concepts like mean, median, and mode to evaluate their performance. As the season progresses, students build strategic thinking skills by weighing risk and reward during gameplay and using data to drive their decisions. The program culminates in a championship tournament where students use powers of two to construct playoff brackets and compete as a class.
Beyond STEM, the program reinforces sportsmanship, teamwork, and integrity through integrated bonus lessons and a Sportsmanship Contract, helping students navigate challenges and collaborate with their peers effectively. With an emphasis on social-emotional skills and critical thinking, students develop practical abilities that extend beyond the classroom.
MLS STEM Goals is designed for schools and out-of-school time programs, offering a free and accessible way to engage students in STEM learning through the lens of soccer. Educators should request their MLS STEM Goals games when preparing for Lesson 1 to ensure they receive them before reaching Lesson 3. Requests can be placed at this link or using the link found in Lesson 1.
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Sports-based learning experiences from Learn Fresh to build youth confidence, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving skills.
Bring the energy of soccer into your program with the new MLS STEM Goals collection from Learn Fresh. This ready-to-use collection takes youth through the arc of a professional season, starting with a signed sportsmanship contract and moving through "preseason" and "regular season" gameplay. Through the game, they will continue to track performance data and calculate metrics to bring math and STEM to life.
Inside, you’ll find 8 lessons that blend math, movement, and teamwork to build:
⚽ Collaboration and critical thinking
⚽ Sportsmanship
⚽ Youth engagement and attendance
⚽ Problem-solving and strategic thinking
⚽ Staff confidence and program quality
Start exploring and add it to your summer plans!
MLS STEM Goals: Sportsmanship Contract
STEM, Social and Emotional Awareness
Grades K - 12
MLS STEM Goals: Sportsmanship Contract
K - 12
45 Minutes
To start the MLS STEM Goals experience, all students are asked to sign a Sportsmanship Contract! Just like an MLS player, this affirms their commitment to their team and league. An additional curriculum spotlight on sportsmanship asks them to reflect on the skills necessary to be a great competitor.
This is activity 1 of 8 in the MSL STEM Goals Collection from Learn Fresh. To view all activities and Quality Instructional Practices for planning and facilitation, visit the MLS STEM Goals Collection page.
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MLS STEM Goals: Shot Percentages
STEM
Grades 3 - 8
MLS STEM Goals: Shot Percentages
3 - 8
1 Hour 30 Minutes
In this activity, students explore how percentages connect to real in game performance by analyzing shot percentages in MLS STEM Goals. Using data found in Team Cards, students will learn how fractions, decimals, and percentages are all ways of displaying measurements that are just a part of a whole. In the first half of the lesson, students will calculate and compare shooting percentages across player positions. To conclude the lesson, educators have the option to bring students to a real soccer field or gymnasium where students can gather data on their shooting performance and calculate their own shot percentage.
This is activity 2 of 8 in the MSL STEM Goals Collection from Learn Fresh. To view all activities and Quality Instructional Practices for planning and facilitation, visit the MLS STEM Goals Collection page.
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MLS STEM Goals: Choosing a Shot Spot
STEM
Grades 3 - 8
MLS STEM Goals: Choosing a Shot Spot
3 - 8
1 Hour
In this activity, students learn how to make strategic decisions about when and where to shoot in MLS STEM Goals. Using shooting percentages from team cards, students compare the likelihood of scoring from different player positions and analyze whether it is better to shoot immediately or attempt to move to a different shot spot. Through these scenarios, students continue applying their understanding of percentages and conclude the lesson by playing their first official game of MLS STEM Goals.
This is activity 3 of 8 in the MSL STEM Goals Collection from Learn Fresh. To view all activities and Quality Instructional Practices for planning and facilitation, visit the MLS STEM Goals Collection page.
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MLS STEM Goals: Data in Action
STEM
Grades 3 - 8
MLS STEM Goals: Data in Action
3 - 8
1 Hour 30 Minutes
In this activity, students track and analyze their performance in MLS STEM Goals across three games. As they play, students record key statistics including shots made and missed by player position, question card accuracy, possessions, and movement on offense. Using the completed tracking charts, students calculate four performance metrics to understand how their data can be used to gain insights into their gameplay strategy. To conclude the lesson, students reflect on their calculations and consider how that data can guide their strategy in future games.
This is activity 4 of 8 in the MSL STEM Goals Collection from Learn Fresh. To view all activities and Quality Instructional Practices for planning and facilitation, visit the MLS STEM Goals Collection page.
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MLS STEM Goals: Field Measurements
STEM
Grades 3 - 8
MLS STEM Goals: Field Measurements
3 - 8
1 Hour
In this activity, students use real soccer field dimensions to calculate the area and perimeter of different field sections, including the full field, half field, and the goalie box. Students also use the radius of the center circle to determine its circumference and area. After completing these calculations, students reflect on their results, compare the sizes of each section, and consider how field measurements can influence decisions made by players and coaches during a match.
This is activity 5 of 8 in the MSL STEM Goals Collection from Learn Fresh. To view all activities and Quality Instructional Practices for planning and facilitation, visit the MLS STEM Goals Collection page.
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MLS STEM Goals: Mean, Median, and Mode
STEM
Grades 3 - 8
MLS STEM Goals: Mean, Median, and Mode
3 - 8
1 Hour 30 Minutes
In this activity, students track the difficulty levels of the questions they answer during three offensive possessions in MLS STEM Goals. Using this data, students calculate the mean, median, and mode to better understand the types of questions they encountered and how challenging each possession was. After completing their calculations, students compare their possession statistics with their team totals and reflect on how these results can inform their approach to future gameplay.
This is activity 6 of 8 in the MSL STEM Goals Collection from Learn Fresh. To view all activities and Quality Instructional Practices for planning and facilitation, visit the MLS STEM Goals Collection page.
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MLS STEM Goals: Probability and Strategy
STEM
Grades 3 - 8
MLS STEM Goals: Probability and Strategy
3 - 8
1 Hour
In this activity, students examine how probability affects decision-making in MLS STEM Goals. Using shooting percentages from sample team cards, students review a set of game scenarios and determine whether taking a shot or attempting to move to a different shot spot offers the better chance of scoring. Students compare percentages, evaluate risk, and explain their reasoning as they consider how probability influences in-game choices. This lesson serves as a transition into the postseason, giving teams an opportunity to refine their decision-making strategies before playoff gameplay begins.
This is activity 7 of 8 in the MSL STEM Goals Collection from Learn Fresh. To view all activities and Quality Instructional Practices for planning and facilitation, visit the MLS STEM Goals Collection page.
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MLS STEM Goals: Road to the Championship
STEM
Grades 3 - 8
MLS STEM Goals: Road to the Championship
3 - 8
1 Hour
In this activity, students explore how tournament brackets are structured in sports and how math is used to create fair and balanced competitions. Students examine examples of single-elimination brackets, identify how powers of two shape tournament design, and analyze how the number of teams affects each round. Using the MLS playoff format as a real-world model, students consider how wild card games and uneven team counts influence bracket construction.
This is activity 8 of 8 in the MSL STEM Goals Collection from Learn Fresh. To view all activities and Quality Instructional Practices for planning and facilitation, visit the MLS STEM Goals Collection page.
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